directions to the thunder over the blue ridge
open house and air show
click map for larger view
State, local and military police will guide travelers through congested areas, along detour routes and into designated parking locations.
Travelers approaching the air base should expect heavy congestion and potential delays. Several streets will be closed to through traffic, which will disrupt normal travel routes, including those provided by electronic GPS navigation systems.
General traffic will not be allowed on Route 11 between Paynes Ford Road and Novak Drive. Traffic patterns will be altered as follows:
* All Air Show attendees are highly encouraged to access the Air Show via Interstate 81 via Tabler Station exit 8. However attendees traveling south on Route 11 from Martinsburg will be directed around the base by way of Paynes Ford Road to Airport Road to Novak Road to Business Park Drive to enter designated parking areas. Attendees traveling north on Route 11 from the Inwood area will be directed onto Business Park Drive for entrance into designated parking areas.
* Travelers not attending the air show who are heading south on Route 11 will be directed around the base by way of Paynes Ford Road to Airport Road to Novak Drive to intersect with Route 11. Those traveling north on Route 11 will be directed onto Novak Drive to Airport Road to Paynes Ford Road to intersect with Route 11.
* Residents between Novak Drive and Paynes Ford Road off Route 11 were issued special letters allowing them to pass through traffic control points. Residents living in this area who haven’t received a special parking pass should contact Maj. Melissa Shade at the Air National Guard at 304-616-5240.
Traffic around the base will be rerouted during the following times:
Friday, Sept. 3, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 4, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 5, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Travelers and residents are also advised that portions of Novak Drive, Paynes Ford Road and Airport Road will be closed on Sept. 3 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team practice.
General Parking for the air show will be in a field off Business Park Drive. After exiting Interstate 81 via exit 8 (Tabler Station) visitors should enter the field from Business Park Drive.
Handicapped Parking will be available at the Polo Ralph Lauren parking lot located on Novak Drive.
Buses will shuttle spectators from both parking areas to the nearby air base.
Parking will be prohibited on the following streets from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 4-5:
* Route 11 from Novak Drive to Paynes Ford Road
* Business Park Drive from Novak Drive to Interstate 81 Bridge
* Stewart Avenue from Wren Street to Winchester Avenue
* Kelly Island Road from Paynes Ford Road to the Air Guard base entrance
* Paynes Ford Road from Route 11 to Airport Road
* Airport Road from Paynes Ford Road to Novak Drive
* Novak Drive from Route 11 to Airport Road
* Interstate 81
In addition, no parking will be allowed during these same times in the:
* Orgill Business Lot on Business Park Drive
* Polo Ralph Lauren Lot on Novak Drive except for airshow visitors using the handicapped parking
* Park and Ride Lot located near the Interstate 81 Bridge
Vehicles parked illegally during these times may be towed at owner’s expense
After the event, spectators exiting parking lots have the options of heading toward Interstate 81, Route 11 South, and Novak Drive toward Route 9. Business Park Drive will turn into two lanes heading toward Interstate 81.